Following Matthew Perry's demise, a medical practitioner stands accused and admits guilt.
In a tragic turn of events, the death of beloved actor Matthew Perry in October 2023 has led to a complex criminal investigation involving multiple defendants who supplied ketamine, an anaesthetic, that ultimately proved fatal.
At the heart of the case is Dr. Salvador Plasencia, one of Perry's doctors, who pleaded guilty in federal court on July 23, 2025, to four felony counts of ketamine distribution connected to Perry's death. Dr. Plasencia admitted to illegally supplying Perry with about 20 vials of ketamine over the month before Perry's demise, along with lozenges and syringes. However, it's important to note that the lethal dose that killed Perry did not come from Dr. Plasencia.
Dr. Plasencia was caught incriminating Perry in text messages, referring to him as a "moron" who could be exploited for money. He also enlisted another doctor, Mark Chavez, to continue supplying ketamine to Perry.
Another defendant, Eric Fleming, admitted distributing 50 vials of ketamine that he obtained from Jasveen Sangha to Perry's assistant Kenneth Iwamasa. Fleming pleaded guilty in August 2024 and admitted that the ketamine he distributed included the lethal dose.
Jasveen Sangha, allegedly known as the "Ketamine Queen," is accused of selling 50 vials of ketamine over two weeks to Perry, in collaboration with Fleming and Iwamasa. Prosecutors charge that she sold Perry the batch that caused his death. Sangha has pleaded not guilty and is scheduled to go on trial in August 2025.
Perry's personal assistant, Kenneth Iwamasa, found him dead and was involved in the distribution network, cooperating with authorities and pleading guilty earlier.
This case has broader implications for the medical community and the ketamine treatment industry. Dr. Plasencia's lawyer stated that the doctor hopes the case leads to stricter oversight and clear protocols in the rapidly growing at-home ketamine market, highlighting the dangers of uncontrolled distribution and off-label use, especially for vulnerable patients with addiction histories.
Dr. Plasencia is set to relinquish his medical license and faces up to 40 years in prison plus $2 million in fines.
It's worth noting that prior to his death, Perry had undergone ketamine therapy under medical supervision for depression and anxiety. Perry had also publicly spoken about his struggles with substance abuse.
Five individuals have been charged in connection with Perry's death in a hot tub, underscoring the critical risks regarding ketamine's medical use and the necessity for tighter regulation and vigilance to prevent future tragedies.
- The tragic death of Matthew Perry in October 2023 has brought light to the legal ramifications of mental health treatments, specifically regarding ketamine therapies and treatments.
- In addition to Dr. Salvador Plasencia, four other individuals have been charged in connection with Perry's death, including Mark Chavez, Eric Fleming, Jasveen Sangha, and Kenneth Iwamasa, all of whom were involved in the distribution of ketamine, a drug that proved fatal for Perry.
- The case involving Dr. Plasencia's involvement in Perry's death has sparked discussions in the medical community about the need for stricter oversight and clear protocols in the at-home ketamine market, especially for vulnerable patients with addiction histories, as highlighted by general news outlets and crime-and-justice reports.
